Central Chile

Published by Albatross Birding & Nature Tours In Chile (contact AT albatross-birding.com)

Participants: Rodrigo Silva

We started our trip in Santiago, where Rodrigo picked Nick up, who after travelling through Patagonia, arrived to the Central zone. The first day we went to the mountains southeast of Santiago, specifically, to the El Yeso valley, which is accessed after going up more than 45 km following the Maipo River. We made our first stop in the town of El Ingenio to then start to gain altitude, making birding stops at different elevations. Some prominent birds that we saw this day are Moustached Turca, Crag Chilia, Diademed Sandpiper-plover and Gray-breasted Seedsnipe. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 2:

This day we moved to the south, specifically to the area of Vilches, where the Nothofagus forest has its northern distribution limit. After about 4 hours of travelling, we visited the Colbún Lake and Maule river, where we found some highlights birds such as Burrowing Parrot, Spectacled and Torrent Duck. In the afternoon we walked through the forest and had the good fortune to get spectacular views of Chucao Tapaculo and Chestnut-throated Hut-huet. At the evening we tried our luck with the owls and on our last stop we had success with a couple of Rufous-legged Owl. Overnight in Vilches.

Day 3:

In the morning we visited a different sector of the forest and although it took a long time, we finally found a spectacular pair of Magellanic Woodpecker, which were photographed at close range. After lunch we returned to Santiago, making an unsuccessful stop at Los Lingues to look for the Screaming cowbird. Finally we arrived to Santiago, where we stayed overnight.

Day 4:

We started the day heading towards the coast, specifically, to the Maipo Estuary, which always offers good birding and a large number of birds. We continued our journey to the north, visiting the lagoons of San Antonio Port. After lunch we visited El Tabo, where we birded in a ravine that still conserves some native coastal thicket and we ended the day in Algarrobo, where we could observe some excellent birds like Plumbeous Rail, Spot-flanked Gallinule and the specialty of the place, Striped-backed Bittern. Overnight in Valparaíso.

Day 5:

This day we embarked on a pelagic excursion from Valparaíso, entering the Humboldt Current. With a spectacular weather, the trip ended with 3 species of albatrosses, added to fantastic views and lots of tubenoses. Once on the mainland we headed to the north along the waterfront, making our first stop at Roca Montemar, Reñaca, where we could observe the spectacular Inca Tern and the endemic Seaside Cinclodes. We continued to the north to reach the Aconcagua Estuary. Finally we arrived at Cachagua, where one of the largest colonies of Humboldt's Penguins are located in the central zone, although this time we could only observe a few specimens. Overnight in Santiago

Day 6:

On the last day we birded the mountains located east of Santiago, following the path that leads to the ski resorts of Farellones and Valle Nevado. We made stops at different heights, focused on finding some endemic species and specialties that were pending. Fortunately, we succeeded with Chilean Tinamou and Creamy-rumped Miner, thus closing a successful trip through the heart of Chile. Finally, Nick was Dropped-off at Santiago Airport.

Species Lists

BIRD LIST (152 bird species, 6 mammals & 2 reptiles)

Taxonomic order and notes follows South American Classification Committee
http://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.html